Carolina Panthers name six team captains, with one surprise

by James Dator on Sep 9, 2011 1:18 PM EDT

This afternoon the Carolina Panthers announced their team captains for the 2011 season, with one noticeable surprise. The usual suspects are there: Steve Smith, Jon Beason and Jordan Gross are once again captains, while they are joined by first time captains Thomas Davis, Jason Baker and finally, safety Charles Godfrey.

Of this list it's Godfrey that leaps off the page. Much maligned for his unwillingness to wrap up, always going for the big hit, it's clear that high motor and ball hawking ability is prized by the hard nosed Ron Rivera and defensive coordinator Sean McDermott. As a whole, Godfrey had an excellent preseason, but the jump from 'good safety' to team captain is a big one. Now he'll be integral in organizing and motivating the secondary, a group who as a whole are fairly devoid of veteran talent. This should be an interesting test for the 4th year player.

One wonders if the move to name Godfrey as captain isn't some kind of indictment on Chris Gamble, after all, Gamble is the highest paid and longest tenured Panther in the secondary. Typically, Carolina opt for seniority in these situations and the last time I remember a younger player getting the nod as a captain it was Jon Beason. We can only hope Godfrey develops into the same kind of leader.

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Big Money dont buy captain status it seems

Proud member of the Panthers Mafia!

Saving The Environment One Green Comment at a Time

'We're the little brothers getting punched in the head. Pretty soon, we're gong to learn to punch back.'" - Ron Rivera aka BAMF

by MMA_PITBULL on Sep 9, 2011 1:20 PM EDT reply actions

Gamble isn't very outspoken

, not surprise he isn’t name captain. Heck it’s kind of a make or break year to be honest. If Gamble performs awful as last year he is either traded or restructures his deal(surprise as in why Hurney didn’t call Gamble to restructure his deal.

by adam carter on Sep 9, 2011 1:22 PM EDT reply actions

i'm with you adam

i do not see this as an indictment on CG. he is quiet, and a non leader type. he just does his business, not an emotional inspirer. i hope/think he will bounce back this year to be a quality #1 corner for us, irregardless of who flips our coins

"We want them to play fast, we want them to play physical, we want them to play hard and most importantly we want them to play smart." RR 8-3-11

by revdwl34 on Sep 10, 2011 12:08 AM EDT up reply actions

I'm

STEVE SMITH!

by southtunnel on Sep 9, 2011 1:32 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

lol... I read this as "I'm STEVE SMITH!"

by Fernando De La Cruz on Sep 9, 2011 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs

Me too.

I kinda like power running football though. It’s iike a bloody violent ballet…
When it was working it was a thing of beauty to me. - Vagus

(Please note that from now on I shall only refer to Cam as "The Newt" and Rivera as "BAMF")

Jerry Richardson: "Bitch slapping the NFL one signing at a time" - MMA_Pitbull

by The Duke Dude on Sep 9, 2011 2:16 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm sure Gamble would rather have the money, than the label

STEVE SMITH!

by southtunnel on Sep 9, 2011 1:33 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Players are the ones who vote for the captains, right?

Gamble not getting the nod may have something to do with how everything ended for him last season – walking out and the subsequent placement in Foxy’s doghouse. Gamble may still be in the doghouse as far as some of the other players are concerned.

Of course, that’s complete speculation on my part.

Nevertheless, congrats to all of the captains – especially the first-timers. =)

"One play can win a game, but one play cannot lose a game." - Coach Peterson, Boise St.

"When you get into coaching, you strive to be a Super Bowl-winning head coach. That’s what my goal is, to come here and become a Super Bowl-winning head coach and to sustain an atmosphere of winning." - Ron Rivera

by jamiedk on Sep 9, 2011 1:49 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

I think it is player voted as well

But the coaches obviously have the final say.

This comment section has officially been Tater'd.

by Tater596 on Sep 9, 2011 1:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Players definitely vote on Captains, not the coaches

by epique11 on Sep 9, 2011 4:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Leadership and charisma are factors in the captain equation

Gamble is a quiet guy and has never embraced a motivator position, so I don’t read much into that decision.

by ppalm on Sep 9, 2011 1:51 PM EDT reply actions

At OSU Gamble was very quiet...I don't think it's a big deal.

Hopefully he’ll be walking softly and carrying a big stick this year.

by jdough on Sep 9, 2011 4:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Why not Cam?

I understand Tenure and all that good stuff, but Cam is the leader of this team without question. They will win or die depending on his play… I would have made him a Captian over Gross…

by AZPantherfan on Sep 9, 2011 1:54 PM EDT reply actions

For a rookie, I dunno

Not that he’s at his breaking point or anything, but I think he’s got enough pressure to deal with already. Maybe next year, depending on how his rookie campaign goes.

Newton for '11 ROY!
Walker for '11 ROY!
Biyombo for '11 DPOY!

by Newsinz on Sep 9, 2011 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Panthers normally have two offensive, two defensive and one special teams

They broke the mold with the extra defensive captain this time around.

If the plan was to have one captain at the skill positions and one on the line then Smitty and Gross were the natural choices.

Follow me on Twitter! @James_Dator

by James Dator on Sep 9, 2011 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions

moreover

Gross has been panned by several posters as not up to scratch. Whilst he may not be player the type of football that made him a pro bowler, he is leadership is unquestionable. He organised the player workouts and the turnout was fantastic. Regardless of how he has played, he has the players respect and should be a captain, certainly over a rookie qb, who is still learning things about the system and personal.

Save us Pilares

by LimeyPanther on Sep 9, 2011 2:43 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Agree 100%

"Men, I want you just thinking of one word all season. One word and one word only: Super Bowl." - Bill Peterson

by hyphenate on Sep 9, 2011 6:37 PM EDT up reply actions

this^

by Floods on Sep 9, 2011 11:06 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree 100%

by Adam on Sep 11, 2011 7:21 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Wtf

Cam is definitely NOT the unquestioned leader…. Haha come on

"What up? We're three cool guys looking for other cool guys who wanna hang out in our party mansion. Nothing sexual. Dudes in good shape encouraged. If you're fat, you should be able to find humor in the little things." Again, NOTHING SEXUAL

"I'd rather jerk off a tiger in a phone booth than draft Cam"
-Mel Kiper, Jr.

you guys are like a bunch of pirahnas
by chop goes da weazel on Mar 31, 2011 12:32 PM PDT

by MikeTrain on Sep 9, 2011 6:34 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

rooks arent captains

unless your last name is munnerlyn 2 years ago

"We want them to play fast, we want them to play physical, we want them to play hard and most importantly we want them to play smart." RR 8-3-11

by revdwl34 on Sep 10, 2011 12:09 AM EDT up reply actions

Rivera seems big on Cam "earning" things

I think he is trying to teach him goal setting and that he isn’t gonna be given everything. This is a smart way to mold him into the best person he can be.

by Panthster on Sep 9, 2011 7:37 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

I love it.

Godfrey has slowly grown on me over the years. He hasn’t been perfect by any stretch, but I’ve often thought of him as a solid defender for the most part (especially in recent years), and I don’t cringe when the ball is thrown or ran in his area.

As far as Gamble is concerned, I just think his recent injuries, his quiet demeanor, and his slip in quality last year contributed in him not being named a captain this year. It’s not the end of the world; all he needs to do is go out and play like the number one corner he wants to be labeled as.

Newton for '11 ROY!
Walker for '11 ROY!
Biyombo for '11 DPOY!

by Newsinz on Sep 9, 2011 1:56 PM EDT reply actions

I agree with you, except for one thing

I cringe when the ball is run into his area. It’s always a 50/50 proposition, he either makes an amazing stop or a mind numbingly stupid play that gives up 20+ yards.

Follow me on Twitter! @James_Dator

by James Dator on Sep 9, 2011 1:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, he's definitely better at defending the air than covering the ground.

I think his ground coverage suffers when he tries to force a turnover, instead of just wrapping up and securing the tackle.

Newton for '11 ROY!
Walker for '11 ROY!
Biyombo for '11 DPOY!

by Newsinz on Sep 9, 2011 3:05 PM EDT up reply actions

He took over after Hitman was traded no?

Pressure to live up to the billion FF Harris had every year.

"If ya ain't first, you're last."
- Ricky Bobby's Dad

"There is no evidence that the tongue is connected to the brain."
-Frank Tyger

by KaiserBromley on Sep 9, 2011 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions

martin began to start after hitman was traded

godfrey has started since his rookie year because mike minter retired

"Don't put off til tomorrow what you can put off til the day after tomorrow." -Mark Twain

by SouthernPanther on Sep 9, 2011 3:55 PM EDT up reply actions

Ahh I knew it didn't sound right. Thx.

"If ya ain't first, you're last."
- Ricky Bobby's Dad

"There is no evidence that the tongue is connected to the brain."
-Frank Tyger

by KaiserBromley on Sep 9, 2011 4:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Oh and I love TD's selection as well.

I’m really hoping he can return to pre-injury form. If he does, look out.

Newton for '11 ROY!
Walker for '11 ROY!
Biyombo for '11 DPOY!

by Newsinz on Sep 9, 2011 1:58 PM EDT reply actions

I got a feeling...

I’m going to see Gamble run across my TV screen 3 seconds into a Cardinals WR touchdown dance, acting like he’s mad that he got burnt!

by DIRTYSMAC on Sep 9, 2011 1:59 PM EDT reply actions

I'm anticipating a breakout year for Godfrey.

BAMF has usually had a premier safety in his defenses. He had Chris Harris in CHI and Eric Weddle in SD. I was already expecting a good year for Godfrey after his play this preseason but perhaps he reaches another level this year with BAMF running the show and Meeks coachin’ em up mono a mono.

Love that 2/3 of our starting LB are team captains. Truly the strength of our D.

"If ya ain't first, you're last."
- Ricky Bobby's Dad

"There is no evidence that the tongue is connected to the brain."
-Frank Tyger

by KaiserBromley on Sep 9, 2011 2:00 PM EDT reply actions

I'm with you on Godfrey.

Great point about BAMF and his safeties, too. Weddle hasn’t really ever been the same since Rivera left SD. I’m seeing Godfrey pull on the blue for the NFC in the Pro Bowl this season.

"You know you're in Charlotte when every day while you're having lunch in the city you hear ... "GOD Scott Fowler is a retard!"

by The Kackalack Kid on Sep 9, 2011 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions

MIght be a stretch to see him in the Pro Bowl but I sure hope you are right

I think Martin is also going to have a solid year, he had some good grabs out of the air last year.

Follow me on Twitter @manu4t

by manu4t on Sep 9, 2011 2:16 PM EDT up reply actions

I like Godfrey playing the run this year. Seeing as we’ll surely need the help on that. I think he grabs a few picks, say, 4 or 5, and has a ton of tackles and about 5 or 6 FF playing the run. That should be enough to get him in.

"You know you're in Charlotte when every day while you're having lunch in the city you hear ... "GOD Scott Fowler is a retard!"

by The Kackalack Kid on Sep 9, 2011 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions

For Fox being a defensive coach,

it seemed like we had some piss poor tackling at times. Maybe new coaching staff instilled a sounder technique in Godfrey. We will see!

"If ya ain't first, you're last."
- Ricky Bobby's Dad

"There is no evidence that the tongue is connected to the brain."
-Frank Tyger

by KaiserBromley on Sep 9, 2011 2:40 PM EDT up reply actions

I'd have to say

My absolute favorite name on the whole list is TD. He has worked so hard and been through so much. Truly AWESOME!`

by Kris Mynatt on Sep 9, 2011 2:27 PM EDT reply actions

I'm somewhat disappointed that Munnerlyn isn't a captain.

How cool would it be to have a Captain named Captain?

Something needs to be done to correct this egregious error.

The truth will set you free, but not until it is finished with you. ~David Foster Wallace

Follow me on Twitter! @bdubsmitty

by BW Smith on Sep 9, 2011 3:24 PM EDT reply actions

lol egregious

by clemsonPANTHERSnascarKBandBK on Sep 9, 2011 3:43 PM EDT up reply actions

i imagine they thought it was redundant...

Captain Captain Munnerlyn….captain, my Captain…

by toonman on Sep 9, 2011 3:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Good choices. i like the approach

Something old (Smith)
Something new (Godfrey)
Somethig borrowed (Baker)
Something Blue (Beason bleeds it)

by univonc on Sep 9, 2011 5:15 PM EDT reply actions 5 recs

Are we married to this list, though? ;-)

"You know you're in Charlotte when every day while you're having lunch in the city you hear ... "GOD Scott Fowler is a retard!"

by The Kackalack Kid on Sep 9, 2011 5:24 PM EDT up reply actions

'Til death do us part!

(or mathematical elimination from the playoffs…whichever comes first)

Newton for '11 ROY!
Walker for '11 ROY!
Biyombo for '11 DPOY!

by Newsinz on Sep 9, 2011 5:26 PM EDT up reply actions

lol...honestly, I wondered the same thing.

But it was such a cool concept, I figured one little overreach to make the metaphor work was acceptable.

Newton for '11 ROY!
Walker for '11 ROY!
Biyombo for '11 DPOY!

by Newsinz on Sep 9, 2011 8:35 PM EDT up reply actions

He has been on several teams....

Thus we “borrowed” him from another team in free agency.

by univonc on Sep 9, 2011 8:46 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Ya know, that makes perfect sense (as the other 3 have been Panthers their entire career)

You have all your bases covered! Well done. I’d rec it again if I could.

Newton for '11 ROY!
Walker for '11 ROY!
Biyombo for '11 DPOY!

by Newsinz on Sep 9, 2011 8:50 PM EDT up reply actions

Well played sir.

by Swamp Panther on Sep 9, 2011 9:34 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Marshall is a bit of a surprise but it makes sense

Hopefully, he brings a leadership quality to the secondary and fire up the DBs each and every game.

You get what you put in and people get what they deserve.

by Disciple of Carolina on Sep 9, 2011 5:55 PM EDT reply actions

I meant to say Godfrey...damn distractions

You get what you put in and people get what they deserve.

by Disciple of Carolina on Sep 9, 2011 5:57 PM EDT up reply actions

lol

Proud Member of Cat Scratch Reader and coiner of the (minus Bowers) meme

by Ivan459 on Sep 9, 2011 6:52 PM EDT up reply actions

so is it...

safe to say the cats will be going for a DB in 2012 draft??

by ams6378 on Sep 9, 2011 7:31 PM EDT reply actions

Only if they get rid of Gamble because of his price tag

Otherwise I think it’s way too early to tell. Lets say Butler plays at the same level he did in 2009, and Hogan successfully recovers from his injury and pans out. That actually leaves us with a pretty solid secondary, and we wouldn’t need a DB.

by ppfcpp on Sep 9, 2011 8:26 PM EDT up reply actions

dude wtf?

i know u meant no illwill…but its the friday before game one…and some of us are to tryin to be excited here…we can be realistic later on in the season…

by blackcatfeeva on Sep 9, 2011 9:29 PM EDT reply actions

I'm with you...everybody is 0-0, no reason to be depressed yet

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by Jaxon on Sep 9, 2011 9:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Damn right Jaxon!

Except the Aints, they’re 0-1, oh yeah!!!!

by Swamp Panther on Sep 9, 2011 9:36 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

aint dey who dat gots beat yesterday, dem aints!?

by braves&panthers4ever on Sep 9, 2011 9:39 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

we aint bottom of the nfc south!!

I had nearly forgot what this feels like… Lol. Go pack, that was a great game tho. Drew brees is obscenely good

Save us Pilares

by LimeyPanther on Sep 9, 2011 10:09 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

+ Cam

by Mtndancer on Sep 9, 2011 10:27 PM EDT up reply actions

As a Panther fan who lived in New Orleans for 3 years

any Saints loss is second only to a Panthers win. Their fans are awful, awful people.

by Swamp Panther on Sep 9, 2011 10:36 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

If nothing else, hopefully people lay off Ingram as Offensive ROY

by ppfcpp on Sep 9, 2011 10:49 PM EDT up reply actions

yeah

and start banging on about cobb?

Save us Pilares

by LimeyPanther on Sep 9, 2011 11:04 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm optimistic yet realistic..

by ams6378 on Sep 9, 2011 11:41 PM EDT up reply actions

Brian Baldinger is always kind to the Panthers

http://www.nfl.com/videos/carolina-panthers/09000d5d822075a0/Expectations-for-Cam-Newton

This is a great video to get you excited about Cam Newton. Baldy’s practically drooling over him.

STEVE SMITH!

by southtunnel on Sep 9, 2011 9:43 PM EDT reply actions

who are you and what have you don't with southtunnel?

is that optimism??
Glad to see some enthusiasm from even our more skeptical fans!

Also great vid. Thanks for posting it.

by Floods on Sep 9, 2011 11:18 PM EDT up reply actions

this is good to see

I’m as excited as a 14 year old taking off a girls bra. Even tho I’m not expecting an amazing season you can’t help but get caught up in the
enthusiasm!!

Save us Pilares

by LimeyPanther on Sep 9, 2011 11:35 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions